By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minotauros are proud to announce that Alex Adams has been named the seventh Captain in franchise history. Adams follows Jake Dittel (2016/17), Jared Brandt (2015/16), Jon Lizotte (2014/15), Time Donohue (2012/13, 2013/14), Derek Tylka (2011/12), and Den Hughes (2011/12). Adams will have three Assistant Captains, Nolan Sawchuk, Michael Talbot, and Grant Loven.
Adams is in his second and final season with the Tauros. The big forward breaks a run of three consecutive defensemen to wear the “C” for Minot. Adams led the Tauros with 29 goals last season and had 48 points overall. In four games this season Adams has three points on two goals and an assist. The Grand Rapids, MN, native said “it is an honor to be voted the captain by my teammates.” Adams added that he “learned a lot last season from the large group of vets, especially Dittel on how to lead.”
Like Adams, Sawchuk is in his second and final season with the Tauros. The defenseman posted 32 points last season and a +28 rating. Sawchuk also represented the Tauros at the league’s all-star event the Top Prospects Tournament. With only seven veterans on the team Sawchuk said he is “excited to get to lead such a young group.”
Talbot, also in his last of two seasons with the Tauros, posted 11 goals and five assists as a rookie last season. Talbot, the most vocal of the group admitted that with quiet leaders like Adams and Sawchuk his role will be “to not just lead by example but to help bring everyone’s energy up.”
Loven is the only first year Tauro to be voted into the leadership group which came as a surprise to the 19-year-old. “It’s an honor, I didn’t really expect it, but I’m excited to be a leader,” said the Tauros forward. The forward posted two goals and six assists in 35 games injury plagued games for Cedar Rapids in the USHL last season. Now healthy he already has two goals and an assist in four games as a Tauro.
Your first chance to see the captains and the rest of the Tauros is tomorrow night as the Tauros welcome the Kenai River Brown Bears to the Pepsi Rink at the Maysa Arena for the seventh home opener in franchise history. Tickets are available through the “Tickets” tab atop this page or by clicking here.